Kapil Dev seeks pension for ICL players

New Delhi: ICL chairman Kapil Dev on Friday pleaded before the Delhi High Court that the BCCI should be directed to release pensions to him and other players who joined the rival Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Former captain accused the cricketing body of adopting delaying tactics in the legal proceedings after the BCCI sought adjournment in the matter.

Kapil a ppeared before the Registrar (High Court) for being cross examined by the BCCI on the allegations levelled by him against the Board for allegedly taking punitive action against him and his ICL colleagues.

The Board, however, sought adjournment saying that due to recent terror attack in Mumbai and the then prevailing uncertainty over the England tour, it could not find sufficient time to prepare for the cross-examination of the cricketer.

Kapil, on his part, alleged that it was the delaying tactics of the Board which was more concerned about the England tour than the plight of former cricketers who served the nation.

"BCCI is not concerned about cricketers who served the nation but shows more concern about the on-going series between India and England," Kapil claimed.

"I just seek that pension of my colleagues be released. They are suffering due to Board's action," he alleged, adding, "the Board keeps taking dates in the matter and the proceeding is being delayed due to it."

The BCCI, however, refuted the allegations and contended that this was the first time that an adjournment has been sought in the matter.

The Registrar, after heated arguments of advocates appearing for both Essel Sports Pvt Ltd, promoter of ICL, and BCCI adjourned the cross-examination of six witnesses, including Kapil Dev and former BCCI selector Kiran More.

The court fixed the cross-examinations for Kapil and others on January 16.

Meanwhile, cross-examination of Dominic D'Souza was fixed to be held on December 15.